大象传媒

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I was born in May 1935; I was 5 years old when the war broke out. My father was born in 1877, which made him 59 when I was born and I didn't have anybody in the war to fight. When all the servicemen were coming home I had nobody so I adopted myself with interest during the wartime, through the airborne and parachute regiment, which was newly formed in 1941/42. I used to follow them through the News Pathe from the cinemas and cuttings from the papers where they were all serving.
When they did come home I hung out my little bit of sheet for the Airborne. I felt I wanted to do something for them, so I would ask the keeper in the park for cigarette dog-ends and run errands for him and he would give me all the old cigarette dog-ends. I would pick up a cigarette packet from the street, clean it with my apron. I used to sit on the step and I used to sit on the step and I used to roll the cigarettes, moisten them, breath on them, just for the Airborne soldiers coming through at Waterloo or Kings Cross, whatever station I would go to. I mostly went to Kings Cross because it was nearer to Islington and the trams were about.
To me VE Day brings back memories of a little party, not so much food compared with today, food was off the rationing. I still use a rubbing board, in the jar; I still use lots of things from the wartime. It has taught me, now that I have retired from nursing, to be careful.
I have done my `jumps' for the Airborne and was accepted as an Honorary Member to the Parachute Association. I also did some for the Americans. I am an Honorary Member of the 17t' Airborne; they send me their booklets and magazines. Last year I received a big kit bag from the 17th Airborne with a book in, with all their history of the 17th Airborne. I am going out to America in June to meet the old GI's that served in England and went out to the Battle of the Bulge in Rhine.
I still go on all the tours of Amheim, Rhine crossing, to pay my respect to the graves, Normandy, the Somme and never to forget these men.

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